Pleased with steps taken by aviation authorities to implement COVID-19 safety norms, Delhi High Court closes suo motu proceedings

In view of the guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to ensure compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols on flights, the Delhi High Court on Thursday closed the suo motu proceedings initiated by it with regard to the same. .A Division Bench of Justices Navin Chawla and C Hari Shankar expressed its gratitude for prompt action by the authorities, stating that it expected the aviation authorities, as well as private airlines, to ensure the implementation of the guidelines while keeping in mind the safety of the passengers..The suo motu petition was registered after Justice C Hari Shankar witnessed his fellow passengers on a Kolkata-New Delhi flight refusing to wear masks properly and adhere to Covid-19 protocol despite repeated exhortations..Counsel for DGCA, advocate Anjana Gosain informed the Court that the authority was keeping a "strict vigil", carrying out "surprise checks" and even held meetings with the airports. .She stated that the issue was not adversarial, and added that pursuant to the suo motu petition, guidelines had been issued by DGCA for strict compliance by all stakeholders. .Even private airlines would issue Standard Operating Procedure for travel during the ongoing pandemic, Gosain said..Gosain also submitted that four people on their way to Jammu were recently declared as "unruly passengers" for not complying with COVID-19 norms. .Counsel for Air India said that it has already issued SoPs for flights. .During the course of the hearing, the Court orally observed that such safety protocols should be put in place for railways as well..Appearing for the Central government, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma remarked, "This (suo motu cognizance) was much needed. It was the most needed step.".The Court was also informed that the "unruly passengers" were subsequently de-boarded..In its order, the Court observed, "This Court is not interested in seeing passengers deboarded.".It, nonetheless, added that the fact that the punitive action taken was welcome..Given the manner in which authorities acted after suo motu notice was taken of the situation, the Court opined that it did not deem necessary to further proceed with the matter for monitoring.